Big Brother Isn't Here?

"Is the intelligence reliable?"

The beauty stood alone before the window, silver moonlight falling over him and lending him an even more aloof, chilly grace.

"It is. They say Xue Beng was even scared limp and collapsed to the ground by this man called Danheng."

In the shadows of the room, the faint outline of a burly old man could be seen as he promptly answered the beauty's question.

"No way. Is Xue Beng really that useless?"

At this, a faint smile appeared on the beauty's exquisite, captivating face.

"Scared limp and left sprawling on the ground... My imperial brother truly disgraced the royal family."

With a wave of the beauty's hand, the letter containing the intelligence instantly turned to ash and vanished completely.

"Investigate this Danheng. Find out what gives him the nerve to act so brazenly even after learning Xue Beng's identity."

"Yes."

The next moment, the old man in the shadows vanished, leaving only one person in the room.

"Danheng... Heh. Interesting."

"You idiot! You actually let some lowborn commoner scare you limp! You have utterly disgraced the royal family!"

Within the Heaven Dou Imperial Palace, Prince Xue Xing flew into a rage after hearing Xue Beng's account. He grabbed a jade ornament at hand and was about to smash it at Xue Beng.

In the end, however, he put the jade ornament back where it had been. It had been bestowed upon him by his elder brother, Xue Ye, and could not be broken.

"Uncle, you can't blame me! Who knew that man wouldn't fall for my usual tricks? He knew I was a prince, yet he still dared to act like that!"

"What if he was some lunatic who didn't care about his life? If he killed me outright and fled, what would be the use even if he was caught later? Besides, that man's presence was truly terrifying."

Xue Beng had nowhere to vent his grievance. He felt that he had already handled the matter in the best possible way.

If he had kept provoking Danheng and stirred his killing intent, only to be killed on the spot, would he not have handed the throne over to Xue Qinghe?

He spent every day loafing about and acting arrogant and domineering, disguising himself as a wastrel, all to avoid Xue Qinghe's schemes.

If he lost his life because of Danheng, would all his previous efforts not have been wasted?

As for being scared limp, with the way Danheng had looked, even his father would likely have broken out in a cold sweat!

"You do have a point. But now all of Heaven Dou City knows that you were cowed by a commoner. Where does that leave the royal family's dignity?"

Prince Xue Xing calmed himself. After considering it carefully, he felt that Xue Beng's words did make sense.

"So what? Aren't the people of Heaven Dou City obsessed with gossip? In a couple of days, we can casually throw out some other fresh news and steer their discussions. Before long, no one will mention this again."

"Besides, won't this incident make Xue Qinghe lower his guard against me even further? At worst, Father will punish me."

Xue Beng's explanation made Prince Xue Xing's eyes light up. This truly was a good opportunity to go with the flow!

"Hah, I didn't expect you to think that far ahead. Not bad."

"When the time comes, I'll put in a few good words for you before His Majesty and try to lessen your punishment."

Xue Beng's mouth crooked into a grin. See? He had not been afraid. This was called hiding great wisdom behind a foolish appearance, understand?

"However, this Danheng has disregarded the majesty of the royal family and threatened a prince. His crime warrants death!"

With Xue Beng's matter settled, Prince Xue Xing turned his attention to Danheng.

Xue Beng using the incident with Danheng to deceive Xue Qinghe was one matter. Danheng disregarding the royal family was another.

"Uncle, what do you intend to do?"

Xue Beng wore an equally indignant expression. Ever since becoming a wastrel, this was the first time he had suffered such a tremendous humiliation!

"Hmph. I have already sent someone to contact an expert. Once he arrives, Danheng will be dealt with directly!"

Prince Xue Xing's white brows stood on end. His hand clenched so tightly that he crushed the armrest of his chair out of shape.

"Deal with him directly? But Danheng should have some skill. That Qin Ming from the academy seemed quite respectful toward him."

"Qin Ming?"

Prince Xue Xing frowned. He knew of Qin Ming. Though still young, he was already a Soul Emperor, and his future achievements would surely be considerable.

But when Prince Xue Xing thought of the expert he had invited, his furrowed brow gradually relaxed.

"Don't worry. The one I invited is an expert at killing. Even if Danheng is quite strong, he cannot possibly stand against him."

"Could it be..."

Xue Beng had already guessed whom Prince Xue Xing meant, and excitement began to rise in his heart.

If that lord took action, Danheng would certainly be finished!

Just then, a servant came to report.

"Your Highness!"

"What is it?"

Prince Xue Xing thought that the expert he had invited had arrived. He hurriedly rose from his seat, his face covered in smiles as he prepared to welcome him.

"Po-Poison Douluo seems to have gone out!"

"Gone out?"

Prince Xue Xing froze for a moment, then waved his hand in displeasure and dismissed the servant.

Why had Dugu Bo chosen this exact moment to go out? What a delay!

"No matter. When Poison Douluo returns, that will be Danheng's day of death!"

"Letting him live a little longer changes nothing!"

Prince Xue Xing forced a smile at Xue Beng. Uncle and nephew both understood what the other meant.

"Come. I'll take you to His Majesty first to accept your punishment, so this matter can pass as quickly as possible."

"Ah..."

"What do you mean, 'ah'? If you had been more capable, this punishment would never have fallen on you."

Xue Beng's face fell. No matter how he tried to avoid it, the punishment he deserved could not be escaped!

"Your Excellency, I hope you return as soon as possible."

With big brother absent, Prince Xue Xing could only wait slowly.

After all, Danheng had earned Qin Ming's respect, so his strength was surely no small matter. If Prince Xue Xing went himself relying on his status, his life could be in danger.

Although he was nominally above the three chief education committee members of Heaven Dou Royal Academy, he might not actually be able to order them to kill someone. At most, he could have them protect him.

If he failed to take Danheng down in one stroke and left behind future trouble, he would never know peace again!

"Well? Can we go?"

The next day, Danheng found Dugu Bo. The latter was still sitting in that garden, his face looking somewhat haggard.

"Of course. Please follow me."

Seeing Danheng arrive, Dugu Bo answered weakly. He then rose, took a deep breath, and led the way for Danheng.

"What, are you thinking about your granddaughter?"

Seeing Dugu Bo's absent-minded appearance, Danheng knew what was weighing on his mind.

"As a poison user, I cannot cure the poison in my own body, nor the poison in my closest family's body. How laughable."

Danheng said nothing. Unless Dugu Bo could produce something he had never encountered before and help advance the process of solidifying his carriage, he would not lift a finger.

Otherwise, considering how Dugu Bo had repeatedly tried to poison him, he had no intention of playing the good Samaritan.

Danheng no longer possessed the Dragon Lord's healing power, but how powerful could poison in a place like Douluo Continent really be?

The most potent poison Dugu Bo had used on him before had not even lasted a second in his body before vanishing outright.

"I hope your Herb Garden can be of some help to me."